17th Sunday after Trinity: October 8, 2017 Clash of the Teachers

Transcription

1 Luke 14:1-11;1 17 th Sunday after Trinity: October 8, 2017 Clash of the Teachers Grace, Mercy, and Peace be unto you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for this morning is our Gospel lesson, Luke 14, especially these words, One Sabbath, when [Jesus] went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 1 They say one of the most highly prized qualities of any good speaker is the ability to read a room. This is especially true for teachers. Great teachers have the gift to perceive their students understanding of material while the teacher is speaking; not only to teach the material, but to adapt the way in which one teaches so that it is being understood. Students must know how to understand their teachers, and teachers must understand how to speak to their students. In our gospel text for this morning, we have what sets up to be a clash of the teachers. The Pharisees were known and highly respected among the children of Israel as teachers of the Temple. Jesus had quickly gained quite a reputation for also being a great teacher. It was the custom of the day to invite special teachers to your home for a meal after prayers in the synagogue. After worship, the guest preacher would attend the house of the host teachers, in hopes that the learning and conversation would continue. This meal, however, was not all fun and games. Jesus is in the home of one of the rulers of the Pharisees. The Pharisees are intensely watching Jesus. Their sharp gaze is fastened upon Him. They are trying to get a read on this man; but they are not the only ones watching. Jesus is watching them. While they are trying to read Him, He is reading them. And what He correctly reads, is not to their credit. The searchlight of enemy eyes was directed at Jesus. Now, it depends upon what kind of heart directs a person s eyes. Scripture admonishes all the ends of the earth to look upon Jesus, to cast their cares upon Him, to cling to Him ever in faith and be saved. These men were not conscious of any need of salvation, or pardon, for release, for any atoning sacrifice for their sins. They were stubborn, hardhearted, and blind to their own faults. They were quick to notice the sins of others. Publicans, adulterers, murderers, and thieves would have need to cry in the Temple, God be merciful to us sinners. But do they? 1 Luke 14:1

2 Luke 14:1-11;2 Well Jesus had made them feel uncomfortable in their self-righteousness. They had resented His criticism. They were envious of His popularity. Jesus had deeply hurt their pride, and so they regarded Jesus as an enemy, a deceiver of the people, a destroyer of the religion of Moses, and a downright dangerous character. They were afraid that Jesus would not only ruin their influence with the people, but their income might suffer as well. With what kind of eyes, do you think, did they watch Him that Sabbath day? Certainly not with eyes sympathetic to Christ and His claims, His mission, and His redeeming works; not with eyes that would put the best construction on everything; not with the eyes of a friend, but with those of an implacable enemy. They were watching and waiting for something to happen which would give them grounds for accusing Jesus before the Sanhedrin. We usually find what we are looking for, don t we? Because we will try to change the situation to fit an outcome to our own liking, or won t stop until we do. So the trap was set. And a man with dropsy was there. Jesus had two options: either He could heal the man and be accused of breaking the Sabbath, or He could deny the man and be accused of being unmerciful. They watched Him. Brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus is still being watched. Eager eyes are upon Christ, and thanks be to God that He has given you eyes of faith and love. But there are eyes which breed hatred and suspicion. Such eyes scan God s Holy Word, looking for mistakes, inaccuracies, and contradictions. Even though their criticism has been refuted again and again, men of biased minds continue in their nefarious work of disparaging the infallibility and historical accuracy of God s word. Many look at the teachings of Christ and His apostles, they muster all the strength of their God-estranged intellect in efforts to discredit the moral standards of Christ. They direct the light of their criticism and the shadow of their contempt upon the doctrine of the sin-atoning cross. This destructive work is being done not only by atheists, Muslims, and open enemies of the church; it is also being done by many who profess themselves to be Christians. The eyes of the world are not only upon the doctrine in which your church proclaims, but also in particularly upon your life. In the meaning to the 1 st petition of the Lord s prayer we pray, How is God's name kept holy? God's name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or

3 Luke 14:1-11;3 lives contrary to God's Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father! What an offense to the heathens to see nations in which Christianity has been taught and preached for over 1000 years taking up arms against each other, Christian killing Christian, and exploitation by Christian nations. Divisions of Christendom is truly an offense to the unchurched. They do not understand that these divisions are caused by the unwillingness of men to bow before the clear teachings of God s Word; rather, they put the blame upon the Bible and call it a book of riddles. The world watches closely every Christian congregation. They did so in the apostolic age, and what did they see? Marvelous Christian love, generous care of the poor, fortitude in tribulation, courage in the day of persecution, hope in the hour of death. What is seen today in our congregations? Contempt for the church is aroused when the children of the world see strife and contention in a Christian congregation, worldly spirit in the lives of the people of God, noted indifference in church members concerning of the house of God, poor and meager support for the church, bashing of the congregation and smearing its leaders from the lips of members. On the other hand, if peace and harmony and cooperation reign in a Christian congregation, if the poor are generously supported, if the church filled with devout worshipers, the work of the church expanded by the willing sacrifices of its members, and the lives of Christians shine with examples of virtue and unselfish service, then the church is giving to the world the finest sort of publicity. They watched Him carefully. It is not just those outside the church that are watching. The weak in faith, the weak in the kingdom, are watching. Children watch their parents. For the sake of those weak in Christian knowledge, we that are strong walk vigilantly and cautiously. We must use our Christian liberty in matters not prohibited in God s word. Also, the eyes of the insincere and the hypocrites are watching. They, like the Pharisees, have hearts full of malice and lifelessness. They are always on the lookout for something to criticize, find delight in gossip and slander, easily impugn the motives of all that Christians do and say. Brothers and sisters in Christ, you are being watched. I direct you to walk as one who is in the gospel of Christ, and let your light shine before others, so that they may see your

4 Luke 14:1-11;4 good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. 2 They are watching carefully, but they are not the only ones watching. Jesus watched the Pharisees. He saw their hypocrisy. He was invited to the home as though they wish to do Him a great honor. They pretended to be His friends, yet hatred in their heart and evil purpose was in their soul. Jesus saw right through their trap, and called them out on it. In a wonderful teaching moment, He showed them how they placed their traditions above the simple law of love. In a great turn of events, Jesus preaches to this group what life is all about. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 3 Now, I know, that you good Christians will apply this to your life as a condition of living. Many Christians go through life with this as their calling text. A reminder that we are to be humble, all the while we are waiting to be exalted. But let us not forget who this text is really about: Jesus. Here again the words of the Holy Spirit recorded in Philippians, Though [Jesus] was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 4 Brothers and sisters, you are being watched by Him who is our God and Savior, and who has redeemed us with His blood, and made us His children; in order that we walk before Him in sincerity and truth, with humility and love. Our life is an open book before Him. Through the blessed waters of Holy Baptism, He has joined Himself to you. He has washed you, cleansed you, covered you with His blood. As you are His child, you are reminded that He is ever present in your homes, at your work, in your schools, as you go out for recreation and fun. He hears your talk and knows the motives of your hearts. He is present when you divide your income. He goes with the students and the soldiers when they leave home; away from the watchful eye of parents. We can never escape His allseeing eyes. What an encouragement to repentance, faithfulness, and holiness. 2 Matthew 5:16 3 Luke 14:11 4 Philippians 2:6 11

5 Luke 14:1-11;5 Jesus humbled himself, emptied himself, and took on human flesh. He was born under the law and took on our sin, so that we might have eternal life. He has watched us ever since the beginning. Not only could He read a room, He read the world and our sinful condition. So, He was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. The blessed Savior looked upon this man with dropsy, and out of His great mercy and the strength of His omnipotence, He healed him. The Redeemer sees also our need and the most secret woes of our hearts. He observes with a heart of compassion, and His mighty hand is not shortened to help and sustain all that call upon Him in the day of trouble. He has read the room, and He has seen your sin, your fault, your struggle, your pain. He has given His life in exchange for yours. He takes your sin, and gives you His strength. He humiliated Himself, and now gives to you the seat of honor. You, as His child, are invited to come up here to the higher seat. Come to my table for all is prepared. Here is my body given for you. Take and drink, here is my blood, shed for you. At the Lamb s high feast we sing Praise to our victorious King, Who has washed us in the tide Flowing from His piercèd side. Alleluia! 5 Amen May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. Prayer of the Church Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity 5 LSB 633 At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing: stanza 1

6 Luke 14:1-11;6 8 October 2017 Let us ask our heavenly Father to provide for us all good things and to hear us in the petitions we now bring before Him. For all true wisdom, that we would gladly hear the Word of the Lord, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For the preaching of the Word, that pastors would be faithful and bold in their proclamation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all parents, that they would teach their children with love and patience and not provoke them to wrath, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all those who labor in the work of Christian education in our congregations, that they would teach young and old to fix their eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all in civil authority, that they would exercise their offices for the benefit of all in our nation, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For all those who suffer under any illness, [especially,] that God would grant them endurance, peace and healing, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For deliverance from gossip and slander so that we are not put to shame, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For those who celebrate another year of earthly life, especially Kris Gilman, and Christ Korth that God would cause them to grow in wisdom and grace, and that they would be strengthened to trust in God s goodness all the days of their life; let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For the right reception of the Sacrament of the Altar, that in humility we poor sinners would be called up higher to receive Christ s own forgiveness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. For those who mourn, [especially,] that they would be comforted by Christ s resurrection, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy. Blessed Lord, although sin had scattered us in the vain imagination of our hearts, You have gathered us together in one faith and one Baptism. Bless us for the sake of Your Son, Christ Jesus, and grant that Your Holy Spirit would be active upon us and in us through the gift of Your Word. Grant us this, in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who with You and the Holy Spirit art one God, now and forever. Amen.